So, you're looking for the next kickoff. Honestly, if you're checking for a game right this second, I have some slightly bummer news: the Green Bay Packers just wrapped up their run for the 2025-26 season. It was a wild ride that ended just a few days ago on January 10, 2026, with a tough 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round.
It hurts. Losing to Chicago in the playoffs is basically a specialized form of torture for anyone living in Wisconsin. But while the pads are packed away for the winter, the "when" of Packers football is already shifting toward the 2026 campaign. We don't have the exact Tuesday-at-8-PM details yet—the NFL guards those like state secrets until May—but we know exactly who and where they will be playing.
When does Green Bay Packers play their next meaningful game?
Since the playoff exit, the team is officially in "offseason mode." This means the next time you'll see Jordan Love leading a huddle in a game that actually counts will be September 2026.
Usually, the NFL releases the specific dates and times for the 2026 season in the second week of May. Expect a big televised "Schedule Release" event where we find out if the Packers are opening at Lambeau Field or heading on the road. Based on how things have gone lately, there’s a very high probability they’ll be featured in a few primetime slots—think Sunday Night Football or maybe another Thanksgiving appearance.
Before that, we have the preseason in August. Those games usually happen on three consecutive weekends in mid-to-late August, though most veterans only play a series or two.
The 2026 Opponents: A Brutal Road Ahead
We already know the 17-game slate for 2026 because the NFL uses a rotating formula. Because the Packers finished second in the NFC North this year with a 9-7-1 record, their schedule is locked in.
They’re matched up against the NFC South and the AFC East this time around. That’s a lot of travel and some heavy hitters.
Home Games at Lambeau Field
There’s nothing like a game in Green Bay, especially when the late-season flurries start. In 2026, the Packers will host nine regular-season games:
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings: The usual divisional suspects.
- Atlanta Falcons & Carolina Panthers: The NFC South visitors.
- Buffalo Bills & Miami Dolphins: High-powered AFC East offenses coming to the frozen tundra.
- Dallas Cowboys: A massive matchup dictated by the second-place finish.
- Houston Texans: The designated 17th game opponent for this cycle.
Away Games on the Road
If you’re looking to travel with the team, the 2026 road list is... interesting. It’s heavy on the East Coast:
- Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota: The standard away trips.
- New Orleans Saints & Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two tough environments in the South.
- New England Patriots & New York Jets: A double-dip into the AFC East territory.
- Los Angeles Rams: A trip to SoFi Stadium to face the second-place finisher from the NFC West.
Why the 2026 Schedule matters more than usual
The Packers are in a weird spot. They’ve got a young core—guys like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks—who are now "vets" in their third or fourth years. But the 2025 season showed some cracks. That 9-7-1 record was... fine, but the tie against Dallas in Week 4 and the late-season slide (losing four of their last five) suggests they need more than just "potential."
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When does Green Bay Packers play their best football? Usually, it's when the offensive line is healthy. In 2025, Zach Tom struggled with injuries late, and it showed. Moving into 2026, the schedule makers aren't doing them any favors. Facing Josh Allen’s Bills and a resurgent Texans squad means the defense under Jeff Hafley has to find another gear.
Looking for the Schedule Release Date?
If you want to be the first to book flights, circle your calendar for mid-May 2026. The NFL typically drops the full schedule on a Thursday night.
Until then, the team is focused on the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. Several key players like Romeo Doubs and Quay Walker are entering critical years of their contracts. Basically, the "game" right now is happening in the front office, not on the grass.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the NFL Draft: It starts April 23, 2026. This is where the 2026 roster actually gets built.
- Wait for May: Don't buy "confirmed" tickets from secondary sites before the official May release; those are often speculative listings.
- Review the 2025 Tape: If you're missing the action, the Week 13 Thanksgiving win over Detroit (31-24) remains the high-water mark of the Jordan Love era so far. It's worth a rewatch while we wait for September.